Comments for Learn Pythonhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com
Odds and ends about learning (and teaching) PythonTue, 26 May 2015 01:53:13 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/Comment on Notes on Teaching Python – Mental Models by André Robergehttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2015/05/21/notes-on-teaching-python-mental-models/#comment-2755
Tue, 26 May 2015 01:53:13 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=197#comment-2755I think you nailed it when talking about the importance of developing the right mental model. I find that, for beginners, the terms “mutable” and “immutable” are too much like “jargon”. I think that the key is to explain what “=” means in Python.

When I explain how Python works, and come to explaining what “=” does I first start by saying that whatever is on the right hand side of “=” is an object (computed by Python) and what’s on the left hand side is the name by which “I” (the programmer) refers to that object. For example, if you and I were roommate, we might have a piece of paper on the fridge with the items [‘milk’, ‘butter’, ‘cheese’]. You would likely refer to it as a “grocery list” and in Python would write

grocery_list = [‘milk’, ‘butter’, ‘cheese’]

I would likely refer to it as a “liste d’épicerie”, and could write

liste_d_epicerie = grocery_list

Two different names, referring to the same object. If the object changes in some way (you bought milk and crossed it out of the piece of paper, i.e. removed it from the list), it is clear that it will have changed for both of us: I’m still using liste_d_epicerie as my name for that object.

If I tell you about my friend Bob

Bob = my_friend

and later on, talk about my cousin Bob,

Bob = my_cousin

it should be clear that I use the same name to refer to two different persons.

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Naomi Cederhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2490
Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:51:17 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2490The advice that I give is to look for open source projects to contribute to. There are projects in the space you are interested in – ansible, fabric, etc. where you can combine sys admin experience with learning Python. This is not a sure fire solution – a lot depends on the circumstances, the motivation, and even the luck of the person concerned. But if it were me, I’d look for things to do along those lines to build a portfolio. JMHO, of course.
]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Ruffyhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2489
Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:10:57 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2489I don’t know jack about Python. But I would eventually like to migrate from systems administration to Python development, in particular stack development and web application automation.

I started with Codecademy.

Do you have any other suggestions as far as learning resources go?

Further, after learning the basics, what are some ideas to get experience before the first interview? Odesk and elance comes to mind, but those places are saturated with experienced developers. I would rather offer my skill set for free just to get the experience.

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Naomi Cederhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2326
Thu, 06 Nov 2014 23:33:42 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2326First of all, the disclaimer: I have worked on an O’Reilly book project. I know some of the people involved with the O’Reilly Python program. I don’t think that significantly affects my judgement, but it might.

I think that the O’Reilly programs are of good quality for what they are – you can use them to learn Python, and what you learn will be correct and good practice. And the certificate will prove that you completed the course and met the criteria. All that is good.

Since you’re asking in the context of this post, though, I’m assuming that your further question is, “will that certificate help me get a job?”

There I’m much more doubtful. At this point, in spite of gaining ground, I don’t think online courses have the weight of courses taken in person (right or wrong). And by themselves courses taken in person, even if they add up to a degree, aren’t the best assurance of getting a job. I’m pretty sure that most of us want to see people who’ve done something. Again, I want to see evidence that the person I hire will actually help us get our work done (and make my life easier).

So my reaction comes down to this – use the courses to learn the language(s), include the certificates on your profile (you earned them after all), but build a portfolio projects and coding work and anything else that shows you can help get things done.

Hope this helps.

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by johnhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2325
Thu, 06 Nov 2014 21:46:41 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2325Hello, I was wondering if you could respond to this and tell me what your thoughts are on the O’Reilly certificate program for various computer languages.
]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Chrisfshttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2209
Sun, 28 Sep 2014 07:56:39 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2209Look at openhatch.com,
Also a female friend of mine got a web job quickly after attending Hackbright Academy, which is a 10 week immersion course for women. You could check it out. http://www.hackbrightacademy.com/
]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Naomi Cederhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2207
Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:27:51 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2207Hi. I won’t lie to you – this is a hard problem. The sort of degree you have doesn’t always impress when it comes to getting hired. As to 30k lines of code, that’s just a number, and an excuse, not to bother with someone junior.

If you are writing code, you are doing the right thing. But it’s slow. And finding mentors is not as easy as it should be. However, to find ways to get over the issues with working on open source projects you might visit http://openhatch.org/ The Open Hatch people are dedicated to that, so that may get you started.

Good luck!

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Nellyhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2206
Sat, 27 Sep 2014 19:21:01 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2206Hi. I really need your advice. I’m 29. A girl. With educational background in economics (bachelor and master), also got master degree in compiter science last year (just 3 semesters of study and thesis). I really want to become a web developer, but things have become quite tricky.

On my last job interview for junior python developer position, the interviewer said that if I hadnt written 30k lines of code, I dont have programming skills and they cannot teach me in 3-4 months. He added that there are plenty of opportunities to code.

Well, I’m writing small programms and scripts to myself and also working on my web site on django. But it’s pretty hard for me to participate in open source project: I open it and dont know what to do and dont quite understand the code. I feel that I need a tutor that I can ask many stupid questions and who can review my code but none of my friends are programmers, so I have noone to ask for help.

Can you give me an advice how to become a better programmer so that I can be able to find a junior position?

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by Naomi Cederhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2203
Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:02:54 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2203No, I don’t think programming is a sinking ship by any means. The thing is, you have to keep current, keep learning, or your own set of programming skills will become obsolete – I’ve heard that story before. As far as starting at 55, you’re younger than I am, and as someone put it on Twitter, if you start now… in 5 years you’ll have more experience programming the many professional developers have today. So if you find it rewarding and are willing to keep learning aggressively, I’d say give it a try. :-)

(and then buy my book to brush up on Python 3… ;-) )

]]>Comment on How Not to Get a (Python) Job – a rant by David Klemhttps://learnpython.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/how-not-to-get-a-python-job-a-rant/#comment-2202
Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:52:36 +0000http://learnpython.wordpress.com/?p=166#comment-2202I’m brand spanking new. I’m 55, been driving trucks since 1980. Ever since I’ve owned a computer, I’ve loved learning about how they work and have never been afraid to explore unfamiliar territory.; reg, cfg files etc. I’ve made a few changes to a particular program that I used by learning on my own. Sparked by the desire for a change of occupation, I’ve been considering software development. Before I jump on board I want to make sure that I haven’t chose a sinking ship.

So far I’ve been asking many questions and using my binoculars to see what’s out there and what the future holds. My most recent maneuver was to check out a gigantic book from the local library called Learning Python by Mark Lutz. My biggest fear is investing a lot of time and finding out that my efforts have been in vain.

I recently heard of some woman who created an App called No More. It shuts your child’s phone off and leaves them no choice but to call home or 911. I have this vision of being able to create a program or app. I think that would be a rewarding change in my life. Any input would be appreciated.